Abstract: A system adapted to condition an initial water feed stream into a treated water stream, the initial water feed stream including at least one of: a sulfate; a hardness; a dissolved solid; and, an oxygen. The system including a sulfate and hardness removal membrane unit adapted to treat the initial water feed stream to remove the sulfate and the hardness, a high pressure reverse osmosis unit adapted to treat the initial water feed stream to remove the dissolved solids, a first oxygen removal unit adapted to treat the initial water feed stream to remove the oxygen, and a second oxygen removal unit adapted to treat the initial water feed stream to catalytically remove the oxygen.

Abstract: An iron cation/sulfate alkalinization/sulfurous acid sulfide treatment method for industrial wastewaters to remove selenium and heavy metals to levels suitable for open stream discharge, land application, or power plant effluent discharge standards.

Abstract: The spent liquor (SL) of a thermomechanical pulping (TMP) process introduces a high load to the wastewater system of this process. To reduce this load, fly ash from a biomass boiler is used and the application of fly ash improves the performance of biological process. Three different alternatives are introduced to apply fly ash to treat spent liquor.

Abstract: A process for alumina and carbonate production from aluminium rich materials with integrated CO2 utilization, comprising: comminuting and leaching Al-rich materials in concentrated HCl; separating unreacted material from metal chloride solution; separating Al3+ from solution by crystallization of AlCl3.6H2O; calcination of AlCl3.6H2O with HCl recovery; precipitation of metal carbonates from CO2; regeneration of HCl and extractive amines; the Al3+ separation the facilitated by increasing HCl concentration; the calcination being performed in two steps, one in the range 400 and 600° C. to generate a HCl-rich gas and one above 600° C. to produce Al2O3; for precipitating metal carbonates, mixing the metal chloride solution with an organic solution containing a selected amine and contacting the mixture with a CO2-containing gas, thereby also extracting HCl by formation of an ammonium chloride salt complex; processing thermally or chemically the organic solution to regenerate the amine for recirculation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of amphipathic polymers to enhance lateral flow and reagent mixing on assay devices. More specifically, the invention relates to use of an amphipathic polymer in assay methods including a device for determining the concentration of lipids in blood serum or plasma.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for treating source water to remove contaminants such as oil from oil-fields produced water. In some embodiments, source water containing CO2, endotoxins, foulants, sulfate, and oxygen will be treated with aluminum nitrate or iron nitrate, separating the CO2 and endotoxins from the treated water, removing the foulants by mixing hydrated lime and an amine solvent with the treated water, and separating the dissolved oxygen and recovering the amine solvent using a hydrophobic membrane.

Abstract: A hydrometallurgical method for nickel oxide ores, whereby the pH of a neutralized solution can be stabilized. The hydrometallurgical method comprises a sulfuric acid leaching step of leaching an ore slurry of a nickel oxide ore with sulfuric acid, a neutralization step of neutralizing a crude nickel sulfate aqueous solution by adding a neutralizing agent thereto, and a dezincification step of removing zinc as zinc sulfide by adding a sulfurizing agent to a neutralized solution; wherein in the neutralization step, the amount of the neutralizing agent added is adjusted using, as an index, a neutralizing agent addition ratio that indicates the amount of the neutralizing agent added relative to the amount of free sulfuric acid in the crude nickel sulfate aqueous solution.

Abstract: Described are chemical formulations that remove heavy metals from waste solutions containing a chelating agent. Also disclosed are methods for removing heavy metals from waste solutions utilizing such chemical formulations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method isolating ion generation from target metal precipitation and flocculation rely on an ion generator and a precipitation reactor distinct, separated, optimized, and otherwise independent from each other as to flow regime and contained fluid at all times. No co-habitation of ion generation and precipitation nor their flow regimes is permitted in a single unit. Plug flow at hyper turbulence in the ion generator contrasts with quiescent to laminar flows in the precipitation reactor. Coating sacrificial anodes is avoided by avoiding over driving currents for ionization at the anode. A precipitation reactor is optimized by a dwell time effective to precipitate and flocculate heavy target metal precipitants and sacrificial ions relying on weak forces not tolerated by inertial forces in the ion generator.

Abstract: A method of supplying engineered water for drilling or hydraulic fracturing of wells, where the water comes from either fresh sources or is recycled from drilling or hydraulic fracturing operations whereby the water is treated for example with a mechanical vapor recompression unit or other treating apparatuses and methods to significantly reduce the concentration of constituents that are deleterious to drilling or hydraulic fracturing chemistries while keeping desirable constituents, such as semi-volatile antimicrobial constituents. The final composition of the engineered water is designed to contain constituents that are optimal for drilling or hydraulic fracturing operations.

Abstract: A rapidly installed intermittent flow and storm water treatment method and apparatus employing rapid solids separation and sulfur dioxide chemical dewatering technology to produce disinfected reclaimed storm water with heavy metals removed and diluted nutrients suitable for open stream or land application.

Abstract: A pre-treatment method injecting sulfur dioxide into waters containing suspended solids to undergo ultra violet disinfection to form sulfurous acid (H2SO3) to self-agglomerate and precipitate solids from the wastewater for settling or filtration removal and provide acid to reduce bicarbonate and mineral scaling and microbial buildup on ultraviolet light tubes to improve their performance.

Abstract: A composition containing titanium and iron compounds, in particular decomposition residue that accumulates as a production residue after the sulphate process during the production of titanium dioxide, is used as an adsorbing agent for inorganic and organic compounds, for example compounds containing phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, sulphur, selenium, tellurium, the cyano group or heavy metal. Toxic substances and pollutants may be removed from a fluid using the adsorbing agent.

Abstract: Novel devices for synthesizing ferrate and uses thereof are described. One aspect of the invention relates to devices and systems for synthesizing ferrate at a site proximal to the site of use.

Abstract: Novel devices for synthesizing ferrate and uses thereof are described. One aspect of the invention relates to devices and systems for synthesizing ferrate at a site proximal to the site of use.

Abstract: A method and system for processing fluoride-containing wastewater includes treating the wastewater with brine (waste) created by the regeneration process implemented by in ion exchanging water softener. The brine, which is typically disposed of, contains both calcium and magnesium salts, in varying concentrations and ratios. The regeneration process brine is added to the fluoride-containing wastewater within a reaction tank, and the fluoride ion concentration is monitored. When the fluoride ion concentration falls below a predetermined level (e.g., 15 ppm), the flow of regeneration process brine is stopped. A pH controller monitors the pH within the reaction tank, and adds a basic agent to ensure that the pH remains above a predetermined level (e.g., pH>9). The pH control results in a clear effluent, and a sludge having a high settling rate and a high dewater ability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing phosphorus and nitrogen contained in sewage or wastewater using iron ore wastewater. According to the method of the present invention, in which the phosphorus and nitrogen contained in sewage or wastewater are crystallized in the form of struvite using iron ore wastewater containing a large amount of Mg2+ produced in a process of upgrading low-grade iron ore and removed, it is possible to reduce the cost of Mg2+ and the cost of iron ore wastewater treatment, thereby earning economic profits. Moreover, it is possible to prevent water pollution by the removal of the phosphorus and nitrogen contained in sewage or wastewater. Furthermore, it is possible to use struvite crystals obtained as a by-product as a time-release compound fertilizer so as to reduce the amount of fertilizer used and the number of fertilizations, thereby reducing soil contamination.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus are disclosed that relate to one or more aspects of a treatment system that circum-neutralizes the pH of an aqueous stream, removes one or more heavy metals from the aqueous stream, circum-neutralizes the pH of a CCR supply, and/or removes one or more heavy metals from the CCR supply.

Abstract: A method for purifying and sterilizing water using nano catalytic microelectrolysis and an apparatus therefore including three units of a nano catalytic microelectrolysis device, a sand filtration and a precise filtration are provided. 1/20 to ? of raw water is delivered into the nano catalytic microelectrolysis. 19/20 to ? of raw water is directly delivered into a neutralization tank to be mixed with nano catalytic microelectrolysis water to kill microorganism, algae and plankton and force suspended solids, colloid, charged particles and etc. to form into relatively large particles which are removed by the precise filtration unit; heavy metal ions gather at a cathode of the microelectrolysis to form cathode sediment to be removed; organic compounds are oxidatively decomposed by strongly oxidative substances produced by the microelectrolysis; phosphate ions move towards a cathode polarization layer and act with divalent cations on a cathode surface to produce phosphate precipitate to be removed.

Abstract: As population density increases, the transportation of hazardous chemicals, including acids and disinfectants, lead to an increased incidence of spills while the consequences of spills become more serious. While solutions of halide acids, hypohalites and halites are safer disinfectants for transportation, handling, storage and use than traditional gaseous chlorine, the manufacturing cost of these disinfectants has here-to-fore limited their use. Economical processes are presented for the manufacture of O2, halogen oxides, halide acids, hypohalites, and halates; as well as polynucleate metal compounds, metal hydroxides and calcium sulfate hydrate (gypsum). The instant invention presents methods and processes that incorporate the use of sulfur. This is while environmental regulators, such as the US EPA, require an increased removal of sulfur from hydrocarbon fuels, thereby creating an abundance of sulfur, such that the refining industry is in need of a way to dispose of said abundance of sulfur.

Abstract: A method of water treatment comprising: providing an electrolysis device comprising an electrolysis vessel; providing feed streams to the first salt water chamber of the vessel, second salt water chamber of the vessel, acidic chamber of the vessel, and alkalic chamber of the vessel, the acidic chamber producing an acidic solution and the alkalic chamber producing an alkalic solution; directing at least a portion of the contents of the first and second salt water chambers into a precipitation tank; directing at least a portion of the alkalic solution into the precipitation tank, thereby increasing the pH in the precipitation tank to produce precipitate; and removing the precipitate from the precipitation tank.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating selenium-containing wastewater, in which wastewater containing hexavalent selenium is subjected to reduction treatment, selenium can be effectively removed at a small amount of metal leached, and, preferably, sludge produced during treatment is white, thereby facilitating the disposal of the sludge. The selenium-containing wastewater is brought into contact with an alloy or a mixture of metallic titanium and a first metal other than metallic titanium to partially leach the first metal, thereby subjecting selenium in the wastewater to reduction treatment.

Abstract: Substitution of a single Ga-atom or single Ge-atom (GaAl12 and GeAl12 respectively) into the center of an aluminum Keggin polycation (Al13) produces an optimal water-treatment product for neutralization and coagulation of anionic contaminants in water. GaAl12 consistently shows ˜1 order of magnitude increase in pathogen reduction, compared to Al13. At a concentration of 2 ppm, GaAl12 performs equivalently to 40 ppm alum, removing ˜90% of the dissolved organic material. The substituted GaAl12 product also offers extended shelf-life and consistent performance. We also synthesized a related polyaluminum chloride compound made of pre-hydrolyzed dissolved alumina clusters of [GaO4Al12(OH)24(H2O)12]7+.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of removing mercury from water. The method includes depositing selenium or a reactive selenium compound on a support structure, such as reticulated foam. The support structure is then placed in contact with mercury laden water whereby allowing the selenium and the mercury in the water to react. The selenium deposited support structure retains the mercury thereby removing the mercury from the mercury laden water.

Abstract: In a process for treatment of powdery fumed silica, fumed silica to be discarded is collected by dispersing the fumed silica in water. Disclosed is a method for treatment of a fumed silica-containing wastewater collected in the process. The method comprises the steps of: adding an inorganic coagulant containing a metal to a fumed silica-containing wastewater in an amount of 15 to 300 mg/l. in terms of the metal, wherein the wastewater is either a wastewater containing fumed silica at a concentration of 0.05 to 3.0% by mass or a wastewater whose fumed silica content is adjusted to 0.05 to 3.0% by mass; and adding an organic polymeric coagulant to the mixture.

Abstract: A method of treating silicon powder-containing drainage water, comprising the steps of: including an inorganic flocculant composed of a silica sol-water-soluble metal salt having a molar ratio of silicon to metal of 0.05 to 3.0 into drainage water containing silicon powders to ensure that the metal concentration becomes 15 to 300 mg/L; and adding an organic polymer flocculant. In this method, the coagulation treatment of drainage water containing fine silicon powders can be carried out.

Abstract: A sulfurous acid treated wastewater disposal method employing soil aquifer treatment (SAT) for artificial recharge of groundwater through infiltration basins allowing fully or partially-treated sewage effluent to infiltrate into the soil and move down to the groundwater through a “vadose” zone, which acts as a natural filter to remove essentially all suspended solids, biodegradable materials, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of acidic solutions of activated silica for water treatment. Activated silica is formed during the process of acidifying a sodium silicate solution to below pH 2 with sulfuric acid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of producing and using aluminum slurry containing aluminum particles having an extremely small size. In particular, a particle size that is small enough to freely flow through water filtration filters. Once the aluminum particles react with phosphorus, phosphates, and other contaminants, the resulting particles are large enough to be trapped by filters such that the contaminants can be easily removed. The aluminum slurry is created by the use of a unique process which rapidly transforms electrically charged aluminum plates into slurry. The resulting slurry is then added to the body of water where it disperses throughout the water and flocculates with the contaminants. The resulting clumps produced by the reaction are large enough to be trapped by filters in the water treatment facility.

Abstract: Methods and compositions utilizing aluminum, magnesium, and calcium-based additives for the treatment and neutralization of wastewater are described for removing contaminants from wastewater, including reducing phosphorous-containing compounds, total suspended solids (TSS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), fats, oils, and greases (FOG), and total Kjedahl nitrogen (TKN) are described. Methods and compositions to control pH, sulfur and sodium loads present in wastewater and precipitatable solids are described. Concentrations of aluminum, magnesium, and calcium-based additives are maintained at mass action concentrations to the wastewater component levels present in the wastewater and bracketed approximately +/?0.5 pH units about the pK value of the soluble, buffering species.

Abstract: A process for the decontamination of an effluent containing one or more dissolved metals is provided. The process includes producing hydrogen sulphide in an aqueous medium by culturing alkaliphilic sulphate-reducing or thio-sulphate reducing bacteria in the presence of an organic compound serving as an electron donor and in the presence of a sulphurous compound serving as an electron acceptor. The effluent is contacted with the hydrogen sulphide and the dissolved metals are reduced and/or precipitated in the form of metal sulphides.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alkali aqueous flocculating agent based on an alkali aqueous salt clay extract containing dissolved silicate and aluminate, in addition to alkali chloride whereby for an aluminate (1) content by weight expressed as Al(OH)3, 1.) approximately 2 to 3 parts by weight of silicate expressed as SiO2 are provided and 2) at least approximately (10) parts by weight, especially at least (20) parts by weight of alkali chloride are provided, in addition to a flocculating and a sedimentation agent in the form of an acidic and alkali-extracted salt clay. The invention further relates to a method for the production of said flocculating and sedimentation agents which can be used advantageously in swimming baths, for the treatment of drinking water, industrial water, grey water and waste water in sewage treatment plants as auxiliary agents for absorption, sedimentation and filtration.

Abstract: Novel devices for synthesizing ferrate and uses thereof are described. One aspect of the invention relates to devices and systems for synthesizing ferrate at a site proximal to the site of use.

Abstract: A reducing water purification material having a reducing iron-based precipitate selected from green rust, iron ferrite, reducing iron hydroxide, and a mixture thereof. A wastewater treatment process having steps of adding a reducing iron compound to wastewater, leading the wastewater to which the reducing iron compound is added to a reaction tank and forming a precipitate, separating the formed precipitate by a solid-liquid separation to obtain a sludge, and alkalinizing all or a portion of the separated sludge to form an alkaline sludge followed by returning to the reaction tank, wherein in the precipitation step, the wastewater to which the reducing iron compound is added and the alkaline sludge are mixed and are allowed to react in a non-oxidizing atmosphere under alkaline condition to form a reducing iron compound precipitate as the precipitate, thereby incorporating contaminants in the precipitate to remove the contaminants from the wastewater.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a reactive filtration method includes continuously regenerating a reactive filter media while simultaneously filtering contaminants from fluid flowing through the filter media. In one embodiment, regenerating the reactive filter media comprises mixing metal granules with the filter media and agitating the mixture. In another embodiment, regenerating the reactive filter media comprises introducing a metal in the fluid flowing through the filter media and agitating the filter media. In one embodiment, a method for removing phosphorus, arsenic or a heavy metal from water includes introducing a metal salt reagent into the water at a molar ratio of 5:1 to 200:1 to the phosphorous or the arsenic in the water and passing the water through a bed of moving sand.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of acidic solutions of activated silica for water treatment. Activated silica is formed during the process of acidifying a sodium silicate solution to below pH 4 with sulfuric acid. A polyvalent metal salt is then added to stabilize the acidified activated silica.

Abstract: A method is described for removing water and other protic impurities from an organic liquid electrolyte, wherein the organic liquid electrolyte is brought into contact with one or more insoluble alkali metal hydride(s) and the insoluble reaction by-products formed thereby are separated off.

Abstract: Process for water purification and for the separation of beneficial materials that are obtained from an aqueous solution, comprising determining a turbidity index and adding to the water or to said solution a composition comprising one or more natural or mixtures of natural substances, chosen from the group consisting of substances having a cationic molecular charge and substances having an anionic molecular charge, in an amount determined as a function of said turbidity index, thereby, allowing water purification and the aggregation of said beneficial materials.

Abstract: A product and apparatus for cleaning water or industrial and sewage waste water includes a mixture of diatomite that is heated and stirred to impart an enhanced negative electrical charge to the diatomite. A mixture of approximately 50% aluminium chloride (AlCl3) by volume is blended to provide a powder mixture for use as a flocculant in the system. According to a modification, the charged diatomite is instead blended with a mixture of approximately 50% ferric chloride (FeCl3) by volume and is stored in liquid form for later use as a flocculent in the system. From one to five percent, by volume, of polyacrylamide is preferably added to the mixture for use in sewage waste water treatment applications. An efficient system for reacting either the mixture or separately adding the diatomite and the metallic chloride to the water is described.

Abstract: Apparatus for treatment of wastewater which has pre-treatment apparatus for treatment of wastewater which has at least two separation tanks connected in series through which the wastewater is passed wherein there is provided a vertically oriented baffle pipe having a closed top and an open bottom which is attached to or located adjacent a side wall of a first tank Which traps triglycerides, fats or other particulate impurities in the wastewater for subsequent passage into a second tank through a primary conduit which interconnects the first and second tanks. The apparatus also includes post-treatment apparatus for treatment of wastewater after passing through an electrocoagulation cell incorporating at least one coagulation tank having a baffle located below a top end of the coagulation tank which has a spray nozzle associated therewith for washing floc off an interior of the tank whereby the floc is discharged through a conduit which extends through a side wall of the tank below the baffle.

Abstract: A method of removing arsenic and heavy metals from water using metal salt hydroxide-gels is provided. The arsenic present in water is adsorbed onto the hydroxide-gels which can effectively be filtered through a diatomaceous earth (DE) filtration bed. The combination of DE mixed hydroxide-gels is also effective in removing arsenic from water and heavy metals from water.

Abstract: A former (11) works, when supplied with wastewater containing heavy metals and hydrogen sulfide, to react heavy metals contained in wastewater with hydrogen sulfide to form sulfide salts, an acquirer (12) works, when supplied with sulfide salts and acid, to acquire hydrogen sulfide and heavy metal ions produced by reactions between sulfide salts and acid, a hydrogen sulfide supply line (13) supplies hydrogen sulfide acquired by the acquirer to the former, and a collection line (20) collects heavy metal ions.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of phosphate removal from a body of water, especially in pools and spas. It is an improved method of removal of phosphate from pools and spas by the topical addition with a hand held, hose end sprayer of a phosphate scavenging agent or composition, such as aluminum chlorohydrate and a suitable chemical for pH adjustment, allowing the scavenging agent or composition and phosphate to interact and for the resultant product to settle to the floor of the pool or spa. After twenty-four hours the sediment on the floor is removed by vacuuming. After a second twenty-four hour period any additional sediment that has settled to the floor is removed by repeating the vacuuming procedure.

Abstract: Novel devices for synthesizing ferrate and uses thereof are described. One aspect of the invention relates to devices and systems for synthesizing ferrate at a site proximal to the site of use.

Abstract: A method of removing arsenic and heavy metals from water using metal salt hydroxidegels is provided. The arsenic present in water is adsorbed onto the hydroxide-gels which can effectively be filtered through a diatomaceous earth (DE) filtration bed. The combination of DE mixed hydroxide-gels is also effective in removing arsenic from water and heavy metals from water.

Abstract: A product and apparatus for cleaning water or industrial and sewage waste water includes a mixture of diatomite that is heated and stirred to impart an enhanced negative electrical charge to the diatomite. A mixture of approximately 50% aluminium chloride (AlCl3) by volume is blended to provide a powder mixture for use as a flocculant in the system. According to a modification, the charged diatomite is instead blended with a mixture of approximately 50% ferric chloride (FeCl3) by volume and is stored in liquid form for later use as a flocculant in the system. From one to five percent, by volume, of polyacrylamide is preferably added to the mixture for use in sewage waste water treatment applications. An efficient system for reacting either the mixture or separately adding the diatomite and the metallic chloride to the water is described.

Abstract: A method of producing lime water comprising deionising dilution water by membrane filtration, distillation or an ion exchange resin and adding silicate ions to the deionised water. Thereafter, the deionised water treated with the silicate ions is mixed with milk of lime to form lime water. In one embodiment, the milk of lime and dilution water are mixed in a saturator where the silicate ions are introduced.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for wastewater treatment. The compositions comprise CaCO3, MgCO3, lanthanum chloride, or chitosan, and can be applied easily with conventional wastewater treatment processes and equipments. The methods and compositions of the present invention significantly improve treatment efficiency and reduce amount of required chemical additives.

Abstract: The invention provides metal-silica polymeric flocculants having high coagulation performance which are used for water treatment, particularly to remove suspended materials and other impurities from irrigation water, waste water or the like. A silica sol having a SiO2 concentration of from 100 to 200 g/L and a viscosity of less than 6 cp is prepared by colliding an inorganic acid aqueous solution with a silicate aqueous solution at each rate of 5 m/sec or more. The silica sol is aged to make an aged silica sol having a viscosity of 6 to 30 cp, and the aged silica sol is mixed with a water-soluble metal salt such as ferric chloride, to prepare the flocculants.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a reactive filtration method includes continuously regenerating a reactive filter media while simultaneously filtering contaminants from fluid flowing through the filter media. In one embodiment, regenerating the reactive filter media comprises mixing metal granules with the filter media and agitating the mixture. In another embodiment, regenerating the reactive filter media comprises introducing a metal in the fluid flowing through the filter media and agitating the filter media. In one embodiment, a method for removing phosphorus, arsenic or a heavy metal from water includes introducing a metal salt reagent into the water at a molar ratio of 5:1 to 200:1 to the phosphorous or the arsenic in the water and passing the water through a bed of moving sand.